India, a country filled with pride and knowledge, with expertise in uncountable fields of creativity, with numerous glories in the discoveries and inventions of mathematics and science, is also the country with a diverse culture in art. Art, in India, holds more significance than you think. Not only are there different forms of art, but entirely different centuries along the course of time have also seen the emergence of art in astounding ways.
Here are 10 Artists of India that you need to know about, and get an even clearer insight into the land of India!
AMRITA SHER GIL
One of the greatest and also one of the first few women artists, Amrita Sher Gil found her love for art at a really early stage. From the painting "young girls" at the age of nineteen to all the others, her journey as an artist took off and went along in a truly inspiring way. Not just one of the most well known painters of the 20th century, Amrita Sher Gil also had an immense love for literature and music, leading the way to her being an avid reader as well as a brilliant pianist.
NANDALAL BOSE
Nandalal Bose, the maestro of art, learned from the maestro itself. Under the guidance of Abanindranath Tagore, he was an inspiration to the learners of the Indian style of painting. His artworks, ranging from showcasing village life of those times, to the various dramatic scenes of Indian mythology, hold a great artistic value. Awarded with the Padma Vibhushan, Nandalal Bose was one of the best artists India treasures.
ABANINDRANATH TAGORE
Founder of the Bengal school of Art, Abanindranath Tagore is the name so prominent that it cannot be missed from the history of India. He was the one who initiated the emergence of the patriotic emotions even in the field of art by creating the legendary figure of Bharat Mata, regarded with as much respect today too. His artworks also draw inspiration from the Ajanta Caves. Having created numerous paintings like Ganesh Janani, Avisarika, Fairyland Illustration and more, he has created a mark in the history of art.
S.H RAZA
Honoured with awards like Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan and many more, Sayed Haider Raza has left a huge impact on the world of art. One of the most renowned artists of India, his abstract artworks have left everyone spellbound. From landscapes to abstract art, his journey has been in a variety of colors. The Bindu, his most famous art work, showcased the center of the universe, the point representing nothing and everything at the same time.
JAMINI ROY
Also one of the pupils of Abanindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy is one of the most prominent artists of India known for his art works like the seventeen canvases depicting Ramayana. He started his education at the age of sixteen from Government College of Art, Kolkata. His paintings were influenced greatly by the Kalighat style of painting, and have also been awarded by Padma Bhushan. A fun fact, Google India, in 2017, paid tribute to the artist by making a google doodle for him on his 130th birthday.
SATISH GUJRAL
Not just an artist, Satish Gujral was also a sculptor, writer and a muralist. Being an architect, he also designed the Belgium Embassy in New Delhi, which was selected as one of the finest buildings by International Forum of Architects in the twentieth century. His problematic hearing led many schools to refuse admission to him, but as his artistic skills came into the limelight, he studied applied arts in the Mayo School of Arts, Lahore. He also studied in Mexico. He was awarded with the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.
K.H ARA
Krishnaji Howlaji Ara, one of the founders of the Artists' Center in Mumbai, is one of the most famous contemporary painters of India. From still life to landscapes, he has made a benchmark in all the art forms he is known for. The variety of use in his paints, from watercolors and gouaches, to oil paints, also represent the variety in his artworks. K,H Ara was also awarded with Governor's Award for Painting and a A gold Medal from the Bombay Art Society in 1944 and 1952 respectively.
RAJA RAVI VERMA
Raja Ravi Verma, with his unique style of art, the fusion of European academic art and Indian sense of style, has laid a completely different era in the world of art. He is regarded as one of the greatest painters in the history of India, depicting mythological tales, Indian epics, folktales, religious stories and scenes from Vedas and Puranas in his art pieces. He completed his education from University College, Thiruvananthapuram. Shakuntala and Galaxy of Musicians are among his notable works.
TYEB MEHTA
Not only skilled in art, Tyeb Mehta was also passionate about film making. Celebration and Kali, two amongst his notable works, brought him recognition as one of the most well known Indian painters. He was also awarded by Padma Bhushan in the year 2007, and with Kalidas Samman in the year 1988. He also worked as a film editor at Famous Studios, Mumbai. His works were the first ones to sell at prices as high as 31 million dollars, marking him as a legendary artist in Indian History.
THOTA VAIKUNTHAM
Born in Karimnagar district of Telangana, Thota Vaikuntham is a famous Indian painter, known for his vibrant artworks depicting day to day life of villagers, sceneries and landscapes, household depictions of the routinely work, temples and fields, giving the ordinary life a brilliant brushstroke of colors and shades. Not just paints, his hands also hold expertise in sketching, charcoal art and pencil drawings. He was awarded with Bharat Bhavan Biennale award, Bhopal, State Award and National Award, Government of India.